Self-organized and electrically conducting pedot polymer matrix for applications in sensors and energy generation and storage

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a one-step process for preparation of “in-situ” or “ex-situ” self-organized and electrically conducting polymer nanocomposites using thermally initiated polymerization of a halogenated 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene monomer or its derivatives. This approach does not require additional polymerization initiators or catalysts, produce gaseous products that are naturally removed without affecting the polymer matrix, and do not leave by-product contaminants. It is demonstrated that self-polymerization of halogenated 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene monomer is not affected by the presence of a solid-state phase in the form of nanoparticles and results in formation of 3,4-polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) nanocomposites.

PRIORITY STATEMENT

This application claims priority to under 35 U.S.C. §119 to provisionalapplication Ser. No. 62/298,517 filed Feb. 23, 2016, which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the synthesis of the PEDOT-basedpolymer nanocomposites from corresponding halogenated monomers and theresulting advantages for electrochemical or bioelectrochemical energygeneration and storage devices. More particularly, but not exclusively,the present invention relates to electrically conducting polymernanocomposites produced from groups of polythiophenes in aself-polymerization process from a halogenated ethylenedioxythiophenemonomer or its derivatives resulting in conjugatedpoly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) based nanocomposite polymers.The present disclosure is related to2,5-dibromo-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (DBEDOT) monomer or itsderivatives.

BACKGROUND

Conductive polymers made from the precursor monomers or a mixture ofmonomers selected from thiophenes, pyrroles, anilines, and polycyclicaromatics are disclosed in numerous publications and patents (e.g., US2008/0283800 and WO 2009097654). Among them, thepoly-(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) is one of the most promisingconductive polymers, that offers several advantages, such as a binderand an electrically conducting phase. Furthermore, the known advantagesinclude high electrical conductivity, electrochromic properties, andoptical transparency combined with high chemical and electrochemicalstability.

At least three conventional methods of PEDOT polymer synthesis currentlyexist, among them are the chemical method of oxidative polymerization,electrochemical method, and a heterocyclic coupling reaction ofpolymerization.

Oxidative polymerization is a conventional method for formingpolythiophenes from their monomeric precursors. The polythiophenesproduced in the process of oxidative polymerization contain thepolyanions that are not electronically conductive, which is asignificant disadvantage for energy generation and storage devices. Tocompensate for the positive charge on the polymer thiophene chain and tostabilize the polymer matrix, the polyanions possess high molecularweights in the range of 2,000-500,000. Thus, the polyanions areconsidered as a “dead weight” for not being involved in the electroniccharge transfer process. Furthermore, the inorganic peroxide compoundsalthough suitable as oxidizing and polymerizing agents (e.g., hydrogenperoxide, sodium perborate, persulfates etc.) are chemically aggressiveand often non-compatible with the procedures required for thepreparation of the various electrochemically active nanocomposites ornanocoatings. Lastly, the oxidative polymerization of the EDOT (e.g.,with FeCl3 in organic solvents) produces an insoluble black polymerpowders, that cannot be transposed into a film.

Electropolymerization is another conventional method that has manydisadvantages. EDOT monomer electropolymerization is generally performedin an organic media because of the low solubility of the thiophene-basedmonomers in water, high oxidation potentials of thiophenes (higher thanthat of water), and water-catalyzed formation of thienyl cationradicals. Electropolymerization in the organic solvents is atime-consuming and complicated approach which is not suitable for manyindustrial applications. Electrochemical polymerization of3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) in sodium poly(styrene-4-sulfonate)(NaPSS) aqueous solution can produce electrode-supported andfreestanding films of electroactive PEDOT; however, the amount ofmonomer left after the reaction is complete makes this methodproblematic for industrial applications.

A PEDOT polymer can be used in combination with polystyrene sulfonate(PSS) forming a polymer mixture of two ionomerspoly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS).Instead of polystyrene sulfonate polyanion, other anions (e.g.tetramethacrylate (TMA), para-toluenesulfonate (PTS), etc.) can be usedin combination with PEDOT forming, for example PEDOT:TMA and PEDOT:PTS.However, these charged macromolecules in which positive charge on PEDOTcompensates for the negative charge on the polymer anion requiremultiple process steps and cannot be formed in the disclosed one-steppolymerization process.

In the PEDOT:PSS polymer mixture, the nature of the electronicconductivity is based on the transport of the charge carriers along thePEDOT conjugated chains. However, in electrochemical devices diethyleneglycol impedes the electrode performance due to the chemicaldecomposition and dissolution.

Additionally, PEDOT:PSS polymer mixtures applied to the substratesurface as a dispersion of PEDOT:PSS macromolecules in water do not havean ability for the “in-situ” self-polymerization, since it is alreadypolymerized.

Since the nature of the PEDOT:PSS mixture is polymeric, the “in-situ”polymerization on the surface of the working electrode cannot beperformed. Thus, application of PEDOT:PSS results in an inhomogeneousdistribution of the phases at nanoscale, less adhesion between thepolymer matrix and the electrode active material, and higher contactresistance at the interface between them.

To increase the electronic conductivity, carbon is commonly added to theelectrode nanocomposites; however, electrically conducting polymers,such as PEDOT:PSS are conventionally known, but their deposition on theelectrode substrate consists of either multiple steps or cannot beperformed in one-step “in-situ” polymerization.

Although conventional practices disclose a heterocyclic couplingreaction of halogenated polythiophenes, they fail to disclose validationof the polymerization processes in presence of the solid statenanoparticles that do not affect the process of the heterocycliccoupling.

Therefore, what is needed is “in-situ” formation of a polymernanocomposite from halogenated thiophene monomers as a one-steppolymerization process. In the present invention, the properties of thenanocomposites produced from HEDOT monomer, specifically DBEDOT (FIG.1), for preparation of the polymer-based nanocomposites in a one-stepprocess are demonstrated for the first time.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is a primary object, feature, or advantage of the presentinvention to improve over the state of the art.

It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present inventionto provide a method for a one-step “in-situ” or “ex-situ” polymerizationprocesses for making an electrically conductive polymer nanocompositesusing a halogenated 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene monomer (EDOT),specifically brominated 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene monomer, and morespecifically 2,5-dibromo-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (DBEDOT) monomer orits derivatives.

It is a still further object, feature, or advantage of the presentinvention to provide a method having at least a step where thehalogenated 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene monomer, specifically DBEDOT orits derivatives is mixed with a polar aprotic solvent, for exampleacetonitrile (forming a homogeneous solution) and a solid-state phase,and more specifically powders composed of, but not limited to metals,metal alloys, non-metals, metal oxides, ceramics, semi-conductors,zeolites, or biologically active nanomaterials.

Another object, feature, or advantage is to provide a method with atleast a step where the halogenated 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene monomer,specifically DBEDOT or its derivatives, is mixed with a solid-statephase, specifically solid-state nanoparticles forming a nanocomposite inwhich the weight ratio between the polymer and the solid-state phase isin the range of 90 wt. %-10 wt. % to 10 wt. %-90 wt. %, and morepreferably 50 wt. %-50 wt. %.

Yet another object, feature, or advantage is to provide a method with atleast a step where the brominated EDOT monomer or its derivatives mixedwith organic solvent and solid-state nanopowder are heated in thetemperature range of 50-90° C., and preferably at 70-80° C., in vacuumto form electrically conductive and optically transparent PEDOT-basednanocomposite films.

It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present inventionto provide a method with at least a step wherein the brominated EDOTmonomer or its derivatives are heated in presence of solid-statenanoparticles in the temperature range of 50-90° C. at ambientconditions for a period of time ranging from 12 to 48 h to formPEDOT-based nanocomposites.

It is a still further object, feature, or advantage of the presentinvention to provide a method with at least one step wherein the mixtureof the halogenated EDOT monomer or its derivatives in the presence of anorganic solvent and in solid-state phase is deposited on the currentcollector, metallic substrate, another nanocomposite layer, or flexiblepolymer layer to form an electrically conductive and opticallytransparent PEDOT-based nanocomposite polymer film.

Another object, feature, or advantage is to provide a method with atleast one step wherein the nanocomposite is deposited on a metallicsubstrate, current collector, other than the nanocomposite layer, or aflexible polymer layer to form an electrically conductive and opticallytransparent PEDOT-based nanocomposite film in the “in-situ” processwithout adding catalysts or initiators.

Yet another object, feature, or advantage is to provide a method with atleast one step wherein the nanocomposite is deposited on a metallicsubstrate, current collector, nanocomposite layer, or flexible polymerlayer to form an electrically conductive and optically transparentPEDOT-based nanocomposite polymer film in the “in-situ” process withoutsteps for removal of the reaction by-products.

It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present inventionto provide a method with at least one step wherein the nanocompositepossesses high adhesion to the substrate and a uniform coating whendeposited on a metal support, current collector, nanocomposite layer, oron the top of a flexible polymer layer.

Another object, feature, or advantage is to provide a method thateliminates the disadvantage associated with poor solubility of EDOTmonomer in water by using thermally initiated HEDOT self-polymerization.

Yet another object, feature, or advantage is to provide a method thateliminates the disadvantages associated with the currently known andbroadly used chemical or electrochemical methods of the PEDOT synthesisand nanocomposite preparation that involve presence of high molecularweight organic acids forming PEDOT-polyanion polymer mixtures (e.g.,with a negatively charged counter polyanion such as PSS, TMA, or PTS)that initiate the aging process of the said polymers especially atelevated temperatures.

One or more of these and/or other objects, features, or advantages ofthe present invention will become apparent from the specification andclaims that follow. No single embodiment need provide each and everyobject, feature, or advantage. Different embodiments may have differentobjects, features, or advantages. Therefore, the present invention isnot to be limited to or by an objects, features, or advantages statedherein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrated embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail belowwith reference to the attached drawing figures, which are incorporatedby reference herein.

FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of an exemplary one step in-situthermal polymerization of SiNPs-DBEDOT on Cu substrate resulting inelectrically conducting SiNPs-PEDOT polymer nanocomposite in accordancewith an illustrative aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a plot comparison of X-ray diffraction of a thermallypolymerized DBEDOT monomer into a PEDOT conducting polymer and “in-situ”polymerization of SiNPs-DBEDOT into SiNPs-PEDOT nanocomposite inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plot of FT-IR spectra of DBEDOT and PEDOT in accordance withan illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a pictorial representation comparing morphological changes bySEM analysis of the pure PEDOT polymer (aec) and the SiNPs-PEDOTnanocomposites polymerized by ex-situ (def) and in-situ (gei) methods atthree different magnifications in accordance with an illustrative aspectof the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a pictorial representation of the morphological differences atnanoscale observations for the SiNPs-PEDOT composites polymerized byusing in-situ (a-c) or ex-situ (d-f) approaches in accordance with anillustrative aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a plot of the CV comparison of the PEDOT polymer with theSiNPs-PEDOT nanocomposites formed by in-situ or ex-situ methods inaccordance with an illustrative aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a plot of the CV comparison of the SiNPs-PEDOT nanocompositespolymerized by in-situ and ex-situ methods in accordance with anillustrative aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a plot of the comparison of the Nyquist plots for in-situ andex-situ polymerized SiNPs-PEDOT nanocomposites before and after 50 CVcycles in accordance with an illustrative aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 is a plot of the formation cycles at different charge-dischargerates for in-situ and ex-situ polymerized SiNPs-PEDOT nanocompositesbetween 0.05 and 1.0 V versus Li/Liρ in accordance with an illustrativeaspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a plot of the cyclic voltammetry (CV) of PEDOT/Li half-cellbetween 0.05 to 4.5 V at a scan rate of 0.001 V/sec in accordance withan illustrative aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a group of electrically conductivepolymers, such as polyacetylenes, polypyrroles, polythiophenes,polyanilines, polyfluorenes, poly(3-hexylthiophene), polynaphthalenes,poly(p-phenylene sulphide), poly(para-phenylenevinylenes),poly(3,4-ethylenedioxy-thiophene), and their derivatives. Specifically,the present invention is related to the group of polythiophenes, such aspoly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) based polymer, known as PEDOT, which isa conducting polymer based on 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) monomer.

The present invention further relates to the specific advantages for thesynthesis of the PEDOT-based polymer nanocomposites from thecorresponding halogenated monomers and the advantages forelectrochemical or bioelectrochemical energy generation and storagedevices.

Different from conventional practices in the field, the presentinvention relates to electrically conducting polymer nanocompositesproduced from the group of polythiophenes in a one-stepself-polymerization process from a halogenated ethylenedioxythiophenemonomer or its derivatives resulting in a conjugatedpoly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT)-based nanocomposite polymers.More specifically, the present disclosure is related to2,5-dibromo-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (DBEDOT) monomer or itsderivatives.

The applications of the present invention described in the presentdisclosure are relevant, but are not limited to the electrochemicalenergy generation and storage devices and specifically the electrodematerials of the devices; among them batteries, die-sensitized solarcells, fuel cells, supercapacitors, or combination thereof. Yet otherapplication areas may also include touchscreens, organic light-emittingdiodes, flexible organic solar cells, and organic electrochemicaltransistors. Furthermore, the disclosed PEDOT-based polymer films andnanocomposites can be used as hole-injecting transparent plastic andflexible electrodes for polymer light emitting diodes, field-effecttransistors, and photovoltaic cells.

The applications of the present invention require high adhesion,mechanical, chemical, and electrochemical stability, and sufficientelectrical conductivity that is provided by the disclosed invention,which is specifically focused on a one-step self-polymerization processof a nanocomposite material consisting of a sold-state phase and ahalogenated 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (HEDOT) monomer or itsderivatives. Specifically, a one-step self-polymerization process of ananocomposite consisting of a solid-state phase and brominated3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene, more specifically2,5-dibromo-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (DBEDOT) monomer resulting in aconjugated poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) PEDOT is disclosed.

The corresponding nanocomposites used in the applications of the presentinvention comprise metals (e.g., noble and non-noble), metal alloys,metalloids, non-metals (e.g., boron and carbon), semi-conductors (e.g.,silicon and their nanostructures of 1D/2D materials), metal oxides,non-metal oxides, complex metal oxides, (e.g., perovskites,anti-perovskites, fluorites), zeolites, biomaterials, and thecombination thereof which all benefit from the disclosed one-stepself-polymerization of a halogenated-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene monomeror its derivatives.

Technical Background

Conductive polymers made from the precursor monomers or a mixture ofmonomers selected from thiophenes, pyrroles, anilines, and polycyclicaromatics are disclosed in various publications and patents (e.g., US2008/0283800 and WO 2009097654). Among them, thepoly-(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) is one of the most promisingconductive polymers, that offers several advantages, such as a binderand an electrically conducting phase. Furthermore, the known advantagesinclude high electrical conductivity, electrochromic properties, andoptical transparency combined with high chemical and electrochemicalstability.

At least three conventional methods of PEDOT polymer synthesis currentlyexist, among them are the chemical method of oxidative polymerization,electrochemical method, and a heterocyclic coupling reaction ofpolymerization.

Oxidative polymerization is a conventional method for formingpolythiophenes from their monomeric precursors. Specific organicperoxide compounds are known in the field as oxidizing agents for thepreparation of polythiophenes by means of oxidative polymerization. US20090310285 describes a method for preparing polythiophene dispersionsby oxidative polymerization of a thiophene or thiophene derivative,wherein an oxidizing agent is used and the process results in formationof a conductive polythiophene with a specific conductivity in the rangeof 10-2-10-3 Scm-1. A higher value of specific conductivity for apolythiophene, specifically 350 Scm-1 (103Ω surface resistance) isdisclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,926.

It is important to note, that the polythiophenes produced in the processof oxidative polymerization contain the polyanions that are notelectronically conductive, which is a significant disadvantage forenergy generation and storage devices. To compensate for the positivecharge on the polymer thiophene chain and to stabilize the polymermatrix, the polyanions possess high molecular weights in the range of2,000-500,000. Thus, the polyanions are considered as a “dead weight”for not being involved in the electronic charge transfer process.Furthermore, the inorganic peroxide compounds although suitable asoxidizing and polymerizing agents (e.g., hydrogen peroxide, sodiumperborate, persulfates etc.) are chemically aggressive and oftennon-compatible with the procedures required for the preparation of thevarious electrochemically active nanocomposites or nanocoatings. Lastly,the oxidative polymerization of the EDOT (e.g., with FeCl3 in organicsolvents) produces an insoluble black polymer powders, that cannot betransposed into a film.

Electropolymerization is another conventional method that has manydisadvantages. The EDOT monomer electropolymerization is generallyperformed in an organic media because of the low solubility of thethiophene-based monomers in water, high oxidation potentials ofthiophenes (higher than that of water), and water-catalyzed formation ofthienyl cation radicals. Electropolymerization in the organic solventsis a time-consuming and complicated approach which is not suitable formany industrial applications. Electrochemical polymerization of3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) in sodium poly(styrene-4-sulfonate)(NaPSS) aqueous solution can produce electrode-supported andfreestanding films of electroactive PEDOT; however, the amount ofmonomer left after the reaction is complete makes this methodproblematic for industrial applications.

According to EP 1079397, the PEDOT polymer can be used in combinationwith polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) forming a polymer mixture of twoionomers poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and polystyrene sulfonate(PEDOT:PSS). Instead of polystyrene sulfonate polyanion, other anions(e.g. tetramethacrylate (TMA), para-toluenesulfonate (PTS), etc.) can beused in combination with PEDOT forming, for example PEDOT:TMA andPEDOT:PTS. However, these charged macromolecules in which positivecharge on PEDOT compensates for the negative charge on the polymer anionrequire multiple process steps and cannot be formed in the disclosedone-step polymerization process.

In the PEDOT:PSS polymer mixture, the nature of the electronicconductivity is based on the transport of the charge carriers along thePEDOT conjugated chains. The initial conductivity of PEDOT:PSS (0.008S/cm) in 3D network is significantly decreased by PSS, but can beimproved up to 10 S/cm by using the secondary dopant, e.g., diethyleneglycol. However, in electrochemical devices diethylene glycol impedesthe electrode performance due to the chemical decomposition anddissolution.

Numerous patent disclosures describe applications of PEDOT:PSS for solarcells (e.g., WO 2015025333), supercapacitors (e.g., CN 103361698),lithium-ion batteries (e.g., EP 2619827; WO 2014026112) andelectrochemical cells (e.g., EP 2250693). However, contrary to monomericprecursors, the PEDOT:PSS polymer mixture applied to the substratesurface as a dispersion of PEDOT:PSS macromolecules in water does nothave an ability for the “in-situ” self-polymerization, since it isalready polymerized. For example, in the case of liquid crystal displays(LCDs) and solar cells, radical cationic polymerization of PEDOT withammonium persulfate as an initiator involves multiple steps and requiresadditional steps for stabilization with a polyanion.

US20050070654 invention relates to the use of conductive organicpolymers in the production of pixelated electroluminescent devices, suchas organic light emitting diodes and thin film field effect transistorelectrodes. These materials can be prepared by polymerizingdioxythiophene monomers in aqueous solution in the presence of a watersoluble poly-styrenesulfonic acid (U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,575), but theprocess involves multiple steps.

Claimed in EP 2250693 is the PEDOT polymer film on a Goretex substrate.In this process, a plasma-enhanced deposition of a poly-toluenesulfonic(PTS) acid on one side of the Goretex substrate is performed, followedby a vapor phase polymerization (VPP) of the EDOT monomer in presence ofan oxidant (e.g. iron para-toluenesulfonate, Fe(III)PTS) in a 40%solution in butanol to the other side of the Goretex substrate in aplasma chamber. This procedure was followed by washing out the excess ofthe PTS anion and Fe(II) with ethanol from the PEDOT-Gortex electrodefor a Zn-air battery. From this description it is clear that thiscomplicated multi-step approach produces PEDOT:PTS, similar to PEDOT:PSSas disclosed in the other referenced patents.

Disclosed in CN 105074947 is a multi-step process of preparing a layeredorganic photovoltaic cell comprised of an electrically conductivepolymer. The electrically conductive polymer is a cationic polythiophenewith a PSS counter-ion forming a non-polar PEDOT:PSS film.

In addition to the emphasized above disadvantages of the PEDOT:PSSmixture, the presence of PSS makes this mixture thermally unstable dueto disintegration of the ionic bonds between PEDOT and PSS. Betteralignment of negatively charged PSS chains than PEDOT oligomersinitiates the PEDOT:PSS mixture aging in which 50% of the PEDOT:PSSresistance loss takes place after 47 h of the PEDOT:PSS exposure to 120°C. at ambient conditions.

Two patents, specifically U.S. Pat. No. 7,579,112 and US20100233538disclose methods for preparation of battery electrodes, e.g., usingPEDOT:PSS/Poytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) encapsulation. Since the natureof the PEDOT:PSS mixture is polymeric, the “in-situ” polymerization onthe surface of the working electrode cannot be performed. Thus,application of PEDOT:PSS results in an inhomogeneous distribution of thephases at nanoscale, less adhesion between the polymer matrix and theelectrode active material, and higher contact resistance at theinterface between them.

The PEDOT:PSS nanocomposites are conventionally known in the art andhave been used in the cathodes of the lithium-ion batteries (U.S. Pat.No. 7,579,112) in combination with cathode active material lithiummanganese cobalt oxide (LMCO) as an active phase. The LMCO particleswere encapsulated using a mixture of 90 wt. % PTFE and 10 wt. %PEDOT-PSS. In this approach, the multiple steps required to produce thedisclosed battery cathode are considered as a disadvantage.

To increase the electronic conductivity, carbon is commonly added to theelectrode nanocomposites since the binder phase represented by theadhesive polymers, such as polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) andpolyacrylic acid (PAA), is not electrically conductive. Electricallyconducting polymers, such as PEDOT:PSS are conventionally known, buttheir deposition on the electrode substrate consists of either multiplesteps or cannot be performed in one-step “in-situ” polymerization.

Poly(ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) as Polymer Electrode in RedoxSupercapacitor by Rue et al. and Further Evidence for SpontaneousSolid-State Polymerization Reactions in 2, 5-dibromothiopheneDerivatives by Spencer et al. describe a heterocyclic coupling reactionof halogenated polythiophenes. Both Rue and Spencer fail to disclosevalidation of the polymerization processes in presence of the solidstate nanoparticles that do not affect the process of the heterocycliccoupling.

Therefore, what is needed is “in-situ” formation of a polymernanocomposite from halogenated thiophene monomers as a one-steppolymerization process. In the present invention, the properties of thenanocomposites produced from HEDOT monomer, specifically DBEDOT (FIG.1), for preparation of the polymer-based nanocomposites in a one-stepprocess are demonstrated for the first time.

Exemplary Aspects of the Present Invention

Examples of a one-step “in-situ” polymerization method for makingelectrically conductive polymer nanocomposites from the halogenated, andmore specifically brominated EDOT monomer2,5-dibromo-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene are disclosed. In this regard,various approaches validate that polymer nanocomposites can be depositedon metal supports playing the role of anode or cathode currentcollectors. Furthermore, it validates, that the nanocomposite films ofthe present invention can be produced in a one-step thermally initiatedprocess in absence of catalysts or initiators and without additionalsteps for removal of the reaction by-products.

Example 1: Methods of Preparation of the PEDOT-Based Films andNanocomposites from Halogenated EDOT

In this example, the “in-situ” self-polymerization of a polymernanocomposite comprising a solid-state phase and a PEDOT polymer formedfrom the DBEDOT monomer is disclosed. At least one type of synthesisconsists of mixing the DBEDOT and the solid-state phase in an organicsolvent and its exposure to the elevated temperatures in the range of50-90° C. and preferably 70-80° C. in a one-step self-polymerizationprocess. The example includes silicon nanoparticles used as asolid-state phase. However, other 1D/2D based nanostructuresconventional known in the art can be used for this purpose, such asmetals, metal alloys, metal oxides, nonmetals, ceramics, semiconductors,non-metal oxides and combination thereof.

For preparation of a PEDOT-based polymer nanocomposite, the initialmonomer solution was made by dissolving 0.1 g DBEDOT (Sigma Aldrich) inacetonitrile (Sigma Aldrich), followed by 2 hours of stirring and 15 minof sonication. Then, 0.1 g SiNPs (US Research Nanomaterials Inc.) wereadded to the monomer solution, stirred for 2 hours and sonicated for 15min. The SiNPs-DBEDOT slurry was deposited onto an etched copper foilserving as an anode substrate by using a doctor blade. The depositedlayer was dried overnight in air and heated at 80° C. for 48 hours invacuum for the “in-situ” thermal polymerization.

In an “ex-situ approach”, 0.1 g of SiNP was added to the suspension ofthe pre-polymerized pure PEDOT powder in acetonitrile followed by 2hours of stirring and 15 min of sonication. The slurry was depositedonto an etched copper foil using the same method as in the case of“in-situ” deposition and dried overnight in air.

To confirm that DBEDOT polymerization is not affected by the presence ofsolid-state phase, specifically the silicon nanoparticles used in thisexample, 0.1 g DBEDOT in acetonitrile was prepared and dried overnightwithout exposure to elevated temperature. Then, another sample of purePEDOT polymer was prepared (for a direct comparison) by heating it at80° C. for 48 hours in vacuum.

Example 2: Confirmation of the “In-Situ” Polymerization of thePEDOT-Based Nanocomposite from the Halogenated EDOT by XRD

The X-ray diffraction (XRD) of the polymerized nanocomposite with 50 wt.% SiNPs and 50 wt. % PEDOT formed from the DBEDOT monomer has beencompared to a 50 wt. % SiNPs and 50 wt. % pure DBEDOT mixture, and apure DBEDOT film before and after polymerization (see FIG. 2). The XRDanalysis demonstrates that the pure DBEDOT monomer, beforepolymerization, possesses a crystal structure with the characteristicpeaks at 2θ=8.14°, 16.48°, and 24.88°. After thermally inducedpolymerization, the PEDOT polymer is formed in an almost completelyamorphous phase, showing a single broad peak at 2θ=25.12° (see FIG. 2,black dotted line) most likely due to residual bromine complexed tosulfide groups in the form of Br3-. However, the XRD spectrum of theproduced 50 wt % SiNPs-50 wt % PEDOT nanocomposite does not have anypeaks associated with the PEDOT polymer. Conversely, only the peaksrelated to the crystalline silicon nanoparticles are present. Thisexample confirms that DBEDOT mixed with a solid-state phase can indeedundergo “in-situ” polymerization in presence of 50 wt. % solid-statephase, specifically silicon nanoparticles.

Example 3: FTIR Analysis of the PEDOT-Based Films from the HalogenatedEDOT

In this example, the “in-situ” self-polymerization of a PEDOT polymer isformed from the corresponding DBEDOT monomer in a thermally initiatedheterocyclic coupling reaction, as well as its optical transparencyimportant for the optical devices and the solar cells. The DBEDOTmonomer FTIR spectroscopy was performed on the DBEDOT monomer before andafter polymerization (see FIG. 3). The peaks for the DBEDOT monomerreveal several functional groups present in the fingerprint region,among them the peak at 1082 cm⁻¹ representing an aromatic C—Br bond.After the thermally induced polymerization of the DBEDOT monomer, theFTIR spectrum shows that the peaks are not visible due to the lack ofthe inherent transmittance relevant to the formed PEDOT polymer.Complete disappearance of the C—Br peak, suggests that the gaseousby-product bromine has been able to completely evolve at the givenelevated temperature (specifically 80′C) in vacuum and that the DBEDOTpolymerization was complete.

Example 4: SEM Analysis of the PEDOT-Based Nanocomposites Made from theHalogenated EDOT

The SEM images (see FIG. 4) taken by a Supra 40VP (Zeiss) field emissionscanning electron microscope at 1 kV electron beam acceleratingpotential provide the morphological differences at three differentmagnifications of the pure PEDOT polymer (a-c) and the SiNPs-PEDOTnanocomposites polymerized by “ex-situ” (d-f) and “in-situ” (g-i)methods. The SEM analysis of the pure PEDOT polymer particles formedfrom a self-polymerized DBEDOT (see FIG. 4(a)-(c)), demonstrates thatthe particles of ˜1-2 μm size, whereas SiNPs-PEDOT nanocompositepolymerized “ex-situ” (see FIG. 4(d)-(f)) or “in-situ” (FIG. 4(g)-(i))show significant differences at microscale. Specifically, the “in-situ”polymerized SiNPs-PEDOT nanocomposite shows a porous structure with welldistributed submicron SiNPs embedded in the nanofibrous PEDOT matrix.However, the submicron PEDOT particles in a separate phase similar tothe pure PEDOT (FIG. 3(a)-(c)) can be seen only in “ex-situ” polymerizedSiNPs-PEDOT composite. This observation indicates the advantage of the“in-situ” polymerization for achieving a porous and uniformlywell-dispersed SiNPs phase throughout the PEDOT matrix.

Example 5: The Benefits of the “In-Situ” Halogenated EDOT PolymerizationRevealed by the TEM Analysis

The differences in the internal nanoscale morphology of the SiNPs-PEDOTnanocomposites polymerized by “in-situ” or “ex-situ” were identified bythe TEM analysis (see FIG. 5) using a high-resolution JEOL TEM-2100HRTEM with an electron beam emitting from LaB6 gun under the beam energyof 200 keV. Before the TEM analysis, the nanocomposites were dispersedin methanol by sonication and placed on a square-mesh copper grid coatedwith carbon (CF200-Cu).

In case of “in-situ” polymerization, the SiNPs are clearly in directcontact with the PEDOT polymer matrix. This is achieved by encapsulationof the SiNPs within the 3D-nanofibrous network of the PEDOT polymer (seeFIG. 5(a)-(c)). In the case of “ex-situ” polymerization (see FIG.5(d)-(f)), only a partial contact of SiNPs phase with the PEDOT matrixis achieved. Specifically, the absence of the SiNPs within some of thePEDOT agglomerates is observed that illustrates the intermittent natureof the “ex-situ” polymer phase, similar to the traditional carbon-basedcomposites.

Example 6: Benefits of an “In-Situ” PEDOT Self-Polymerization fromDBEDOT Revealed by Cyclic Voltammetry

The cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements with the PEDOT nanocompositeprepared from DBEDOT, as described in Example 1, were performed in ahalf-cell configuration with lithium-foil as a counter and a referenceelectrode by scanning from an open circuit voltage to 0.05 V, and thenconsecutively cycling between 0.05 V and 1.00 V for 20 cycles.

The comparison of the CV plots of the pure PEDOT polymer and theSiNPs-PEDOT nanocomposites (see Example 1) synthesized by “in-situ” and“ex-situ” methods is presented in FIGS. 6 and 7. The initial cathodicscan from the open circuit voltage to 0.05 V vs. Li/Li+ shows (see FIG.6(a)) that the SEI formation starts for all three cells at 1.5 V. Highspecific current for the “in-situ” SiNP-PEDOT nanocomposite electrodescan be seen when compared to pure PEDOT and “ex-situ” synthesizedelectrodes. The absence of the dilithiation peak suggests that thiscurrent is the response to the irreversible side-reaction which isexpected to be the polymerization of residual DBEDOT monomer induced bythe formation of LiBr. The high specific currents observed in case ofthe “in-situ” polymerized SiNPs-PEDOT nanocomposite is explained by moreeffective adhesion and high electrochemical surface area, thus resultingin a greater SEI layer formation in the first cathodic scan. By thetenth CV cycle (see FIG. 6(b)), it is apparent that the pure PEDOTelectrodes do not exhibit redox behavior, but only pseudocapacitance.

A comparison of the “in-situ” and “ex-situ” electrochemical cells withSiNP-PEDOT nanocomposite on the working electrode reveals the superiorlithiation-dilithiation behavior in case of the “in-situ” polymerizedelectrodes. This could be due to the high electrochemical surfaceaccessibility for the conduction of both electrons and Li+ ions providedby the PEDOT polymer network produced from the halogenated EDOT. Thecomparison of the subsequent CV cycles of “in-situ” and “ex-situ”polymerized SiNP-PEDOT electrodes (see FIG. 7) revealed a typicalsilicon lithiation-delithiation behavior with the cathodic and anodicpeaks, respectively. Besides the superiority of the “in-situ”polymerized SiNPs-PEDOT anode in regard to the specific current, thesilicon phase dilithiation peaks of the “in-situ” electrodes compared tothat of “ex-situ” electrodes are sharper and more discrete, suggestingbetter kinetics due to high electron and Li+ transport within thein-situ SiNPs-PEDOT nanocomposite. The analysis of the anodic andcathodic peaks reveals that by the end of the tenth cycle, the “in-situ”polymerized electrodes are operating at much higher currents thatstabilized by the 20th cycle compared to the “ex-situ” electrodes. Thisobservation suggests that there is almost twice as much silicon phaseparticipating in the lithiation process within the in-situ polymerizedelectrodes. The effect can be explained by the more effective activationof the silicon nanoparticles in the lithiation/delithiation process as aresult of considerably larger electrochemical active surface area of theinterface between SiNPs and PEDOT, as revealed by the TEM analysis (SeeExample 2).

Example 7: Benefits of an “In-Situ” PEDOT Self-Polymerization fromHalogenated EDOT Revealed by Impedance Spectroscopy

The impedance spectroscopy data with the PEDOT-based nanocompositesprepared from the DBEDOT monomer and SiNPs, as described in Example 1,was obtained by scanning the CR2025 half-cell with a LiPF6-based liquidelectrolyte in the frequency range of 10 mHz-200 kHz. The AC impedanceplots for the “in-situ” and “ex-situ” polymerized SiNPs-PEDOTnanocomposites were studied before and after 50 consecutive CV cycles(see FIG. 8). In the case of “ex-situ” polymerized SiNPs-PEDOTnanocomposites, the internal resistance increased to 12 Ohm after 50cycles. The observed increase is explained by the deposition of an SEIlayer on the surface of the working electrode, which usually takes placein silicon-based electrodes. Conversely, the internal resistance of the“in-situ” polymerized electrodes decreased after 50 cycles, suggestingthat “in-situ” polymerized PEDOT helps to control the growth of the SEIlayer. One possible explanation is that the PEDOT polymer coatingproduced by thermal polymerization of the DBEDOT monomer controls theoutward growth of the α-Li_(x)Si particles during the lithiation. In thecase of the “ex-situ” polymerized cells, the uncoated silicon is allowedto grow freely each cycle exposing new silicon surface to theelectrolyte for potential SEI growth. Conversely, the “in-situ”electrodes have a benefit of a thin PEDOT polymer coating which controlsthe outward growth, limiting the amount of new Si surface exposed to theelectrolyte. Furthermore, it is assumed that the PEDOT polymer dopingwith the LiPF6 electrolyte has yet another benefit by increasing theconductivity of the PEDOT polymer and decreasing the internalresistance. In the case, if the residual DBEDOT could be found in thecells prior to cycling, it can be polymerized to completion by a pseudoGrignard reaction induced by the formation of LiBr that would in turndecrease the internal electrochemical cell resistance.

Example 8: Benefits of an “In-Situ” PEDOT Self-Polymerization from theHalogenated EDOT Revealed by Galvanostatic Charge/Discharge Cycling

The PEDOT nanocomposites prepared from the DBEDOT monomer as describedin Example 1, were exposed to galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling ina CR2023 half-cell assembly between 0.05 V and 1.00 V at the specificcurrents equal to 100 mAg⁻¹ for 3 cycles, 200 mAg⁻¹ for 3 cycles, 400mAg⁻¹ for three cycles, and 100 mAg⁻¹ for the last 3 cycles. TheCoulombic efficiency in the first cycle is slightly lower for “in-situ”polymerized anodes presumably due to the lithium consumption during theprocess of residual polymerization. Both cells display a moderatedecrease in specific capacitance between each cycle. This is caused bythe formation of an insulating SEI layer, which increases theover-potential needed to induce the dilithiation. As a result, a certainpercentage of lithium atoms is trapped within the silicon phase in eachcycle that irreversibly lowers the capacitance. The observed behavior ofboth SiNP-PEDOT nanocomposite systems indicate that while minor amountsof specific capacitance are lost between each cycle, this amount seemsto be independent of the changes in current, meaning that within thesecurrent ranges no kinetic barrier has been reached making currentirrelevant of specific capacitance. This can be a result of the balancedelectronic and ionic conductivity of PEDOT in contact with liquidelectrolyte. The final specific capacitances for the “in-situ” and“ex-situ” polymerized anodes with 50 wt. %-50 wt. % of the PEDOT andSiNPs are 1550 and 1355 mA·h/g, respectively, which is in correlationwith the theoretical specific capacitance of the bulk silicon (4000mA·h/g). A higher capacitance of the “in-situ” cells is the result oftheir superior lithium ion and electron transport kinetics due to thehigher degree of PEDOT polymer homogeneity, intercalation, andionic-electronic conductivity.

Example 9: Electrochemical Stability in the Cathode PEDOT-BasedNanocomposite at High Voltages

The pure PEDOT nanocomposite prepared from DBEDOT as described inExample 1, has been tested for Li-ion battery cathode in CR2023 coinhalf-cell assembly with a Celgard polyethylene membrane (25 mm thick) asa separator. The electrochemical stability of the PEDOT nanocompositeprepared from DBEDOT was verified by studying the redox behavior withinthe electrochemical window of 0.05-4.5 V. The CV plot of PEDOT/Lihalf-cell shows two redox peaks at 3.42 V and 4.05 V in the anodic scanand at 2.47 V and 2.17 V in the cathodic scan, respectively. Thetwo-phase redox transition of PEDOT could be arising fromn-doping/de-doping corresponding to intercalation/de-intercalationreaction of Li+-ion into the PEDOT matrix as shown in the followingequation:

[PEDOT]^(n−)[Li]^(n−) ⇄n[PEDOT]+nLi⁺ +e ⁻

Therefore, it can be concluded that PEDOT can be used as a conductingpolymer binder in the cathode nanocomposite due to its electrochemicalstability, specific capacity contribution combined with Li⁺-ion andelectronic conductivity.

Specific Aspects of the Present Invention

The disclosed self-polymerization of the PEDOT-based nanocomposites bymeans of thermal initiation is specifically demonstrated for2,5-dibromo-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (DBEDOT). This process has anadvantage of an “in-situ” one-step polymerization, high adhesion of thepolymerized nanocomposite to the substrate or/and the surface of thesolid-state phase nanoparticles, uniform distribution of the solid phasewithin the polymer matrix, and uniform coating of the said solidnanoparticles. The beneficial outcomes of the disclosedself-polymerization of the PEDOT-based nanocomposites comprise highpercolation of the active solid state phase and the polymer matrix.Furthermore, the said outcomes provide the means of the one-steppolymerization of the nanocomposites and the absence of the additionalsteps for removal of the reaction by-products pertinent, which can beapplied in, but not limited to batteries, electrolyzers,supercapacitors, fuel cells, or optically transparent devices.

The PEDOT polymer nanocomposite matrix formed by the “in-situ”polymerization minimizes the negative effect of the volume expansion ofthe active solid phase (e.g., nanoparticles) by controlling the outwardgrowth of the macrostructure (e.g., during charge/discharge cycles inlithium-ion batteries), thus maintaining the electronic and ionicpathways in case of an individual nanoparticle fracture.

According to at least one aspect of the present invention, thehalogenated EDOT monomer or its derivatives can be used for preparationof the polymer nanocomposite films by suspending the solid-statenanoparticles in a brominated EDOT monomer organic mixture which ishomogeneously dispersed around the surface of the said nanoparticlesforming an electrically conducting polymer matrix. In this process thepolymer PEDOT chains are formed in the self-polymerization processaround the nanoparticles. As a result, the said process provides acontinuous conducting and binding polymer network that links eachparticle to the adjacent particle and results in high percolation.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the high voltagewindow of the nanocomposite based on the PEDOT polymer produced from thehalogenated EDOT monomers or its derivatives mixed with a solid-statephase. It is further demonstrated herein that the disclosed PEDOT-basednanocomposites operate up to at least 4.5 V and thus can be used in thehigh-voltage cathodes providing safe and reliable lithium-ion batteryelectrochemical performance.

As previously disclosed herein, poor solubility of the correspondingEDOT monomers in aqueous solutions is a known disadvantage of the PEDOTelectrochemical polymerization process. This disadvantage has been onlypartially circumvented in the oxidative polymerization processes formingPEDOT polymers doped with polyanions (e.g., PSS, TMA, etc.). Thedisclosed polymerization of the nanocomposites using the halogenatedEDOT monomer or its derivatives eliminates the problem of low watersolubility, since the said halogenated monomer EDOT, specificallyDBEDOT, undergoes natural polymerization in the temperature range of50-90° C., and preferably 70-80° C. without involvement of initiators,catalysts, or electrochemical polymerization. This advantage of the“in-situ” one-step self-polymerization of the DBEDOT monomer in presenceof solid-state particles is demonstrated in the disclosure for the firsttime.

The invention is not to be limited to the particular embodimentsdescribed herein. In particular, the invention contemplates numerousvariations in PEDOT electrochemical polymerization. The foregoingdescription has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list or limit any ofthe invention to the precise forms disclosed. It is contemplated thatother alternatives or exemplary aspects are considered included in theinvention. The description is merely examples of embodiments, processesor methods of the invention. It is understood that any othermodifications, substitutions, and/or additions can be made, which arewithin the intended spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrochemical polymerization method,comprising: forming an electrically conducting nanocomposite from thehalogenated 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) or EDOT derivatives by theprocessing the nanocomposite by “in-situ” self-polymerization.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: forming a conducting polymerPEDOT or PEDOT derivatives from a halogenated monomer precursor toproduce a conducting and self-polymerized 3D nanocomposite matrix. 3.The method of claim 2, wherein the conducting polymer or PEDOTderivatives are formed from 2,5-dibromo-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene(DBEDOT) or DBEDOT derivative to produce a conducting andself-polymerized 3D nanocomposite matrix.
 4. The method of claim 2,further comprising: producing PEDOT nanocomposites matrix from ahalogenated monomer precursor by “in-situ” self-polymerization of DBEDOTor DBEDOT derivatives in a one-step polymerization process.
 5. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the conducting polymer PEDOT or PEDOTderivatives formed from the DBEDOT or DBEDOT derivatives is mixed withan organic solvent and a solid-state phase in the form of nanoparticles.6. The method of claim 1, wherein the halogenated monomer EDOT forms ahomogeneous solution with an organic solvent in presence of asolid-state phase introduced to the solution in the form of solid-statenanoparticles.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein an organic solvent inthe presence of the halogenated monomer EDOT mixed with solid-statenanoparticles evaporates during the self-organized polymerizationprocess resulting in formation of a solid-state nanocomposite.
 8. Themethod of claim 3, further comprising: removing gaseous products fromthe forming conducting polymer thereby naturally forming the solid-statenanocomposite.
 9. The method of claim 2, further comprising: producingthe PEDOT polymer nanocomposites by “in-situ” self-polymerization of thehalogenated EDOT or EDOT derivatives without addition of one or morecatalysts or initiators.
 10. The method of claim 2, further comprising:processing the PEDOT polymer nanocomposites without cleaning orseparation processes.
 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:thermally initiating polymerization of the nanocomposite in atemperature range from 50° C. to 90° C.
 12. The method of claim 1,wherein a time period for self-polymerization of the nanocompositeranges based on a weight percent of the solid-state phase and filmthickness.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising: forming a 3Dnanocomposite from the halogenated EDOT monomer or EDOT derivatives withone or more catalytically or non-catalytically active metal- ornon-metal-based solid-state phases in the form of a nanoparticle. 14.The method of claim 13, wherein the nanoparticle comprises carbon,silicon, a metal, a metal alloy, a metal oxide, a ceramic, asemiconductor, or combination thereof.
 15. The method of claim 1,further comprising: encapsulating one or more nanostructures with amonomer precursor during self-polymerization.
 16. The method of claim15, wherein the nanostructures comprise nanoparticles, nanotubes, ornanorods.
 17. The method of claim 1, further comprising: formingelectrodes from the self-polymerizing nanocomposites, wherein anelectrochemical storage cell, fuel cell, electrolyzer, supercapacitorincludes one or more of the electrodes.
 18. The method of claim 1,further comprising: controlling optical transparency of theself-polymerizing nanocomposites for producing optically transparentnanocomposites, wherein a solar cell, photovoltaic cell include theoptically transparent nanocomposites.
 19. The method of claim 1, whereinelectrical stability of the self-polymerizing nanocomposites has avoltage range from 0.05 to 4.5 V.